UK Prime Minister Theresa May has voiced her gratitude to the tens of thousands of Greeks who have chosen Britain as their new home, asking them to remain in her country even after its exit from the European Union. She also said the rights of all EU citizens are among her prime concerns in the so-called “Brexit” negotiations with Brussels.

In an interview with Greek daily Ta Nea published on Friday, the British premier thanked the 70,000 Greeks who have moved to the UK, saying “we appreciate their significant contribution in our culture and society, in our universities and economy.”